Alexandra Rische, who coached Beckman’s girls lacrosse team to a championship game appearance in 2013, was found dead at her home in Santa Ana on early Saturday morning, according to an Orange County coroner’s report. Rische, better known as Ali, was 21.
An autopsy is pending to figure out the cause of death, and results will not be expected for several months, the report said.
Rische guided the Beckman girls lacrosse team to the U.S. Lacrosse Southern Section South Division championship game in 2013, which was her first year as the Patriots’ coach. She also coached the school’s junior varsity team before becoming varsity coach.
Rische was a graduate of Foothill High, where she played lacrosse and ran cross country. She was born in Tustin and was attending Santiago Canyon College, according to her bio on the Beckman girls lacrosse website.
Monica Cullinan, the school’s associate athletic director for girls sports, is currently listed as the Patriots’ girls lacrosse coach on the school’s website.
Beckman athletic director Lance Neal did not want to comment when reached Sunday morning.
Update:
Mark Eliot, Tustin Unified School District’s director of communications and public information officer, had this to say Monday morning when reached for comment regarding the Rische situation.
“It’s very sad, and hearts and thoughts go out to the family,” he said.
According to Eliot, the program underwent a coaching change earlier last week. Eliot did not specify the reason for the change, as the district keeps all personnel matters confidential.
Rische was found dead in her Santa Ana home early Saturday morning.
The Orange County Department of Education sent counselors to come in and speak with the team this past weekend, said Eliot.
According to Eliot, Steve Fischel, the school’s associate athletic director for boys sports, is now also helping coach the team along with Cullinan.
